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President Barack Obama issued an executive order to end the pay freeze on federal employees, in effect giving some federal workers a raise. One federal worker now to receive a pay increase is Vice President Joe Biden.

According to disclosure forms, Biden made a cool $225,521 last year. After the pay increase, he'll now make $231,900 per year.

Members of Congress, from the House and Senate, also will receive a little bump, as their annual salary will go from $174,000 to 174,900. Leadership in Congress, including the speaker of the House, will likewise get an increase.

I'm just wondering if these increased salaries, coupled with the seemingly-imminent tax increases that will result from the fiscal cliff, will result in a zero net change with respect to take-home pay?

Could he just be bumping salaries so his Beltway cronies (from both sides of the aisle) won't feel any real effect from the coming tax rate increases?

I'm just wondering if these increased salaries, coupled with the seemingly-imminent tax increases that will result from the fiscal cliff, will result in a zero net change with respect to take-home pay?

Could he just be bumping salaries so his Beltway cronies (from both sides of the aisle) won't feel any real effect from the coming tax rate increases?

Do we hear any squawking about the fact he is raising salaries in a time when we need to cut spending by anybody in Regress... err Congress? Is there ANY leadership up there on either side of the swamp? Or are they all as blind, self centered and indifferent to the needs of the nation as the pied piper?

Do we hear any squawking about the fact he is raising salaries in a time when we need to cut spending by anybody in Regress... err Congress? Is there ANY leadership up there on either side of the swamp? Or are they all as blind, self centered and indifferent to the needs of the nation as the pied piper?

The District of Criminals crowd all get a pay raise. How nice...............

"The beauty of the Second Amendment is that you won't need it until they try to take it away."---Thomas Jefferson

I'm just wondering if these increased salaries, coupled with the seemingly-imminent tax increases that will result from the fiscal cliff, will result in a zero net change with respect to take-home pay?

Could he just be bumping salaries so his Beltway cronies (from both sides of the aisle) won't feel any real effect from the coming tax rate increases?

No, he's actually being cleverer than that. Raising congressional salaries requires a revenue bill, i.e., an act of congress. By doing this via executive order, Obama is establishing that he can allocate funds beyond the intent of congress. If he gets away with it here, he will have a precedent that allows him to spend money without having the house initiate the bills.